Los Angeles (July 17, 2015) – Today in Los Angeles, Unite for Strength announced that in addition to current SAG-AFTRA National President Ken Howard seeking re-election, along with current SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Vice President Jenny O’Hara for secretary-treasurer, the group will field a slate of 47 candidates for the union’s National and Los Angeles Local Boards.

Current National Vice President, Los Angeles and Los Angeles Local President Clyde Kusatsu, running for re-election, stated, “As Los Angeles President, I worked hard to coordinate with the offices of the mayor, congressmen and lobbyists to bring $330 Millionof tax incentives to California. This has generated more work for LA members. Instead of returning to the divisive politics of 2008, UFS is focused on emerging media platforms and how to best monetize them. I’m proud to be running with such dedicated leaders as Ken Howard, Jenny O’Hara and Unite for Strength.”

Kusatsu will be joined by veteran SAG-AFTRA leaders Ellen Crawford (E.R.) and Woody Schultz (Avatar) who will be running as candidates for Los Angeles Vice President.

President Ken Howard said, “Clyde Kusatsu, Ellen Crawford and Woody Schultz represent the very finest of SAG-AFTRA’s leadership. As LA President, Clyde is a powerful advocate for his constituents. He has his finger on the pulse of the industry, studying the latest tech trends and developments, with an eye toward getting the most for members in negotiations. Ellen is a true champion for rank-and-file members and her commitment to organizing union work is unequaled; Woody’s leadership in New Media and Performance Capture is unwavering.” Howard added, “They are enormously qualified and I trust them to lead Los Angeles in the strongest direction possible.”

National Board member Jason George (Grey’s Anatomy) joins the long list of endorsers supporting Ken Howard, Jenny O’Hara and UFS, which includes George Clooney,Octavia Spencer, Ron Perlman, Betty White, Bryan Cranston, Josh Gad, Rhea Perlman, and S. Epatha Merkerson among others. George reflected, “Years ago, some union leaders recognized the dangers of having two separate unions covering the same members doing the same work. Decades of fear and vitriol kept the unions apart until Unite for Strength finally led the path to a successful merger. Now it’s UFS leaders who get the hard work done and deliver unprecedented gains.”

National and Local Board candidate Autumn Reeser (The O.C., Entourage) shared, “As the sole breadwinner in my family and mother to two young boys, my primary goal is to combine our medical insurance plans so members no longer have to walk this risky health care tightrope. I was a major supporter of the SAG-AFTRA merger and am so glad to join Unite for Strength to help serve our community.”

UFS will also field more than 100 candidates vying for positions as delegates to the second SAG-AFTRA National Convention, to be held in Los Angeles October 1st – 4th. Election ballots will be mailed to members on July 21st and will be tabulated on August 20th.